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Whether because of high grocery prices, concerns about health and nutrition, or ethical dilemmas, a lot more people are opting for meatless meals these days. But while only 4 percent of the U.S. population identifies as a vegetarian, tons of omnivores are making the choice to cut back on meat, and meatless Monday is one tradition that makes it easy to stick to any goals related to skipping the beef, chicken, and pork every now and then.
But can you get your kids to join in? If you have picky tweens or teens (and let’s be honest, even the most easy-going kids have some culinary preferences they just won’t budge on), suddenly announcing that one night a week you’ll be abandoning the family’s favorite comfort food recipes for more vegetables can sound like punishment. We’re here to help give meatless Monday a little PR clean-up, because it turns out that there are plenty of vegetarian recipes for teens that are just as craveable and comforting as anything with meat in it.
Don’t believe us? Well, once you tell your kids they’re having nachos for dinner, or pizza, or cheesy alfredo pasta, we have a feeling the whole meatless Monday thing won’t seem so bad. The kid-friendly meatless Monday recipes below are delicious, but they still deliver on nutrition, with plenty of protein thanks to cheese, tofu, beans, and whole grains. Your family might even start looking forward to meatless Monday after trying a few of these vegetarian recipes for teens and tweens!
Loaded Veggie Sheet Pan Nachos
Nachos for dinner? That will sell even the most reluctant eaters on this whole meatless Monday thing. And your kids might not even suspect that, thanks to the all of the fiber and protein in this recipe, that nachos for dinner can be pretty healthy, too.
Get the recipe from Fannetastic Foods.
Cheesy Baked Tortellini Alfredo
Instead of making meatless Monday feel like punishment, make it a treat. Use this day as a chance to try out some decadent dishes, like this cheesy baked tortellini Alfredo. Serve with some green veggies on the side, or mix them in if your kids are cool with that.
Get the recipe from Bites With Bri.
Lentil Sloppy Joes
Tangy-sweet sloppy Joes are pure, classic comfort food. But you can swap out the meat for lentils, and no one will be the wiser.
Get the recipe from Minimalist Baker.
Slow Cooker Ravioli Lasagna
Your slow cooker and some frozen ravioli do all the work to make this simple meatless Monday recipe. It’s a hearty, comforting meal that will leave even the biggest eater in your family feeling satisfied.
Get the recipe from I Heart Vegetables.
Baked Tofu Nuggets
Believe me when I tell you that your kids probably won’t even realize that these baked tofu nuggets aren’t the real thing. I started calling both chicken and vegetarian nuggets just “nuggets,” and my son never noticed the difference, so we swapped to vegetarian and never looked back.
Get the recipe from School Night Vegan.
Secret Zucchini Pasta Sauce
For a lot of families, it seems like tomato sauce is one way that even picky kids will eat veggies. And if you make your pasta sauce yourself, you might even be able to sneak in some extra vegetables, like the zucchini in this recipe.
Get the recipe from Christina’s Cucina.
Cheesy Broccoli Rice Casserole
No canned cream-of-soup here — just a from-scratch cheesy sauce that turns a simple meal of rice and broccoli into a dish your family will crave.
Get the recipe from Fork In The Kitchen.
10-Minute Naan Pizza
Naan pizza is a fun vegetarian meal for kids, because everyone can customize their own pizza. Put out a selection of your kids’ favorite veggie toppings and a variety of shredded or sliced cheeses, and let your little chefs make their own meatless creations.
Get the recipe from A Simple Palate.
6-Ingredient Instant Pot Mac and Cheese
It’s easy to fall back on boxed mac and cheese when you don’t know what to make for meatless Monday, but this homemade Instant Pot mac and cheese is almost as easy. But unlike the boxed stuff, this mac and cheese is made with whole wheat pasta and real cheese for more nutrition.
Get the recipe from Thriving Home Blog.
Meatless Taco Soup
Taco night is always a hit with kids. This vegetarian taco soup recipe has the same flavors and toppings your kids love from boxed taco night, and is perfect for chilly nights.
Get the recipe from Live Eat Learn.
Leftover Spaghetti Pizza
Set yourself up for success with this meatless Monday recipe. Have spaghetti for dinner on Sunday night, then turn the leftovers into spaghetti pizza for meatless Monday.
Get the recipe from Live Eat Learn.
Vegetarian Sheet Pan Quesadillas
Quesadillas are a family favorite, but much like pancakes, making them for everyone in one skillet on the stove top can take forever. That’s why we love this sheet pan quesadilla recipe, which ensures everyone’s meal is done at the same time, and with a whole lot less hands-on work for the chef.
Get the recipe from Baking You Happier.
Easy Vegan Ragu
Pasta with meat sauce is on regular rotation around here, so we know the kids like it. That’s why this vegan ragu recipe is bound to be a winner — it has familiar flavors and textures, but swaps out red meat for TVP.
Get the recipe from Zardy Plants.
Vegetable Lo Mein
If your kids love take out, treat them to this homemade veggie lo mein. You can add in their favorite vegetables, and leave out any you know they won’t eat. Need extra protein in the recipe? Add in a scrambled egg (fried-rice style), seared tofu, or shelled edamame.
Get the recipe from Garnish & Glaze.
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